Quality field to light up Jebel Ali races
There are a few favourites, but trainer Watson has entered four from his stable, including Dynamic Saint
Dubai: Friday's race meet, the sixth of the racing season at Jebel Ali, is arguably the best of the campaign so far, with three competitive events adding a touch of class to proceedings.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, is sponsoring the feature race through the Shadwell Stud. The 1,800-metre race — which will carry the name of Derrinstown Stud, Shadwell's Irish arm — has attracted a quality field of 14.
Labelled as a preparation race for the Jebel Ali Stakes — the first of the course's three listed races — the field looks wide open, with champion trainer Doug Watson responsible for four of the 14 runners.
Dynamic Saint is the stable's top choice with Pat Dobbs in the saddle in the colours of Malih Al Basti. Al Basti also owns Shopton Lane who is among the Watson-trained quartet. Shaikh Hamdan owned duo — Rohaani and Arqaam — complete the Watson stable representation.
Watson said: "They must all have some kind of chance if things fall right on the day, but it does look like a very open contest and Jebel Ali races are proving harder to win than ever this season."
Trainer Erwan Charpy may not yet have saddled a winner this season, but his horses are running to form.
"We did not expect to make a quick start and it was a learning curve for all of us with the new training track. The horses are coming to form now though," he said.
